How To Make Friends As An Adult
It’s pretty simple to make friends as a child. You don’t have the anxiety and self-consciousness of an adult, and you spend hours each day in a classroom with other students your age. You’ll almost certainly connect with at least one person. Children are also less concerned with rejection and are more open to socializing with people of all backgrounds.
For an adult, making friends is much more complicated. Research shows that most adult friendships begin to dwindle after age 25. At 25, we’re all getting jobs, starting long-term relationships, and having children.
There are many benefits to having good friends, whether you’re young or old. Friends help you live longer, reduce stress, and make you happier. So how can you make good friends as an adult?
Try These Friend Making Suggestions:
- Be approachable. Making friends will be easier if you are approachable and transparent. People will avoid you if you are guarded or secretive. People will like you more if you are honest and kind.
- Experiment with a new activity. Make new friends by participating in enjoyable group activities. If you enjoy hiking, consider joining a hiking club. You’ll have an advantage in making friends because you’ll have a common interest. You can also bond over shared experiences.
- Encourage your children to take part in extracurricular activities. If you have children, attending your children’s sports and activities is a great way to meet other adults. Stay near the bleachers, but put your phone away so you can interact with other parents while cheering on your children.
- Accept invitations to socialize. What do you do when someone invites you out for a drink or coffee after work? Accept the invitation. Even if you’re tired and pressed for time, try to make something happen.
If you can’t say yes to an invitation, make a mental note of it. Then invite the person to do something at a later time. - Connect with coworkers. You are not required to make friends at work, but you may enjoy spending time there if you do. Your coworkers may be looking for new friends as well. How can you connect with them?
Keep the lines of communication open. Converse with them as often as possible, and remember to listen to them. Avoid limiting contact to office hours only. Invite them to hang out and have some fun away from work. That is how a coworker relationship can be transformed into a genuine friendship. - Make use of your social media accounts. Nowadays, people find their romantic partners online, so why not look for friends there? Connect with old and new potential friends through Facebook, Instagram, or other forums.
- Maintain your friendships. Once you’ve formed a friendship, work on expanding and developing it. Reach out to chat and invite them to watch your favorite shows, sports, or concerts with you.
You may lead a busy life with many responsibilities, but you can schedule a time to nurture your friendships. Making good friends, not just any friends, is the goal.
Making friends as an adult takes time, effort, and a great deal of bravery, but the beautiful friendships you form will be well worth the effort.
